2. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Californication

Warner Brothers

Don't let their softer side sway you. It's true that a lot of the new Red Hot Chili Peppers disc is more contemplative and quieter than their typical fare, as typified by the slide-draped lead single “Scar Tissue.” A departure it may be, but this also turns out to be one of the most consistent and mature works that the Chili Peppers have ever produced.